Jane Donnelly

Previously at Gisborne Hospital for eight years, Jane worked some of that time in the neonatal ward

Three Rivers Medical nurse Jane Donnelly feels she’s come full circle when she sees some of her Three Rivers Medical patients.

Previously at Gisborne Hospital for eight years, Jane worked some of that time in the neonatal ward. She helped look after tiny, often very unwell babies. She’s thrilled when she meets them again as strong healthy older children.

“I really wanted to see what primary care was all about and now when I do vaccinations, I get to sometimes see some of my babies! I guess it’s a bit of a continuum, a full circle, it’s great.”

Jane spent five years in Gisborne Hospital’s emergency department and two years in the intensive care unit. After such a long time in secondary care she grew curious about primary care. During what is turning out to be a big year for Jane and her family, Jane has made the change. “I wanted to treat patients and get to them before they needed emergency department care.”

Jane’s grown up children have left home recently and Jane misses them but isn’t at all sad. “I am very proud of both my daughters working hard at their studies in Auckland.”

Jane trained as a nurse in Poole, England, and moved here 10 years ago with her husband. “We love New Zealand, and I’m really enjoying it here at Three Rivers.”